This cruise from Mumbai to Bangkok could be the best way to get from Mumbai to Bangkok

Plus, new luxury sailings from Athens and Dubai that are coming to the ’bay

Can’t wait until you land in Bangkok to begin partying? Indian travellers can hit the holiday groove even earlier now thanks to a clutch of new international sailings to and from Mumbai. Viking Ocean Cruises debuts sailings from Mumbai to Bangkok and from Athens to Mumbai, while Celebrity Cruises offers a Mumbai-Abu Dhabi round trip. Here’s what’s coming up:

Mumbai to Bangkok cruiseWhen: 8 September, 2018 Take the scenic route to Bangkok with the new “Across the Bay of Bengal” cruise. Think 16 days, 8 guided tours and five countries with overnights in Mumbai, Colombo and Bangkok. Take the Strait of Malacca to sample culinary and cultural delights in George Town and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Spend a day in Singapore and explore coral reefs and temples in Koh Samui before hitting the markets of Bangkok. Aboard the Viking Orion, set to launch in July 2018, perks for everyone include balcony staterooms, guest lecturers and access to the thermal suite at the Scandi-style spa.Price: Doubles from $4,999 (Rs3,24,555) per person. Website

Mumbai to Abu Dhabi cruiseWhen: 12 December, 2017 For a glitzy start to the new year, head to the UAE via Celebrity Cruises’ Mumbai-Abu Dhabi sailings. The 2,170-passenger Celebrity Constellation has two round trips slotted for December and January. Depending on the itinerary, stopovers include Dubai, Muscat and Goa en route—and there’s an Indian menu on board too if you get too homesick. Plus, lots to do on days at sea including an adults-only pool, Broadway tributes, movie screenings at the rooftop terrace and a Canyon Ranch Spa Club.Price: Doubles per head from Rs50,000 for 5N and Rs70,000 for 7N for the entire cruise. Website

Athens to Mumbai cruiseWhen: 19 August, 2018 Spend 21 days following the ancient trading route from Greece to India, aboard Viking Ocean Cruise’s newest ship Viking Orion. At Athens, hop on to the 920-passenger ship, designed with the cruise company’s trademark Scandinavian aesthetics and excellent spa. Cruise the Mediterranean Sea to the centre of the Bahá’í faith in Haifa in Israel, visit pyramids and cross the Suez Canal in Egypt, snorkel in the Red Sea before exploring souks and the old frankincense route in Oman, and disembark in Mumbai for Bollywood and heritage tours. The ship’s offerings include regional delicacies, a resident historian, classical music performances and an open-air sports deck.Price: Doubles from $6,599 (Rs4,29,315) per person. Website